Everest Medicines has announced the first prescription for etrasimod, also known as velsipity, in Macau, signaling the official commencement of the drug's distribution in its Asian licensed regions.  This achievement, made on December 11th at Kiang Wu Hospital, represents a substantial advancement in the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in the region.

Velsipity, a next-generation sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, targets individuals aged 16 and up with moderately to severely active UC. The once-daily oral medication, Velsipity, received approval from Macau's Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau in April 2024, offering a corticosteroid-free approach to achieving remission, promoting mucosal healing, and expediting symptom alleviation.

"Velsipity can provide patients with significant relief from UC symptoms while minimizing reliance on corticosteroids," stated Prof. Wu Kaichun of AFMU's First Affiliated Hospital, which led the drug's Asian clinical trials.  "The Phase III clinical trial results confirm its efficacy and safety, offering new hope for patients struggling with this chronic and debilitating condition."

Asia conducted Phase III clinical trials of etrasimod, yielding outstanding findings that underscore the drug's efficacy in treating ulcerative colitis. Notably, the trials showed significant clinical benefits in both the induction and maintenance phases, establishing Velsipity as the best therapeutic option for UC patients. The clinical remission rate for etrasimod was 20.4% greater than that of placebo, demonstrating its extraordinary efficacy. Furthermore, the endoscopic improvement rate was 28.6% greater than the placebo, and the clinical response rate was 32.0% higher. These results, presented at the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW 2024), show that Velsipity is easy to use and safe, making it a good choice for treating UC patients. It is taken by mouth once a day.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory illness that affects millions of people worldwide, with an increasing incidence in Asia. Experts predict that the number of UC patients in China will surpass one million by 2030, marking a doubling from 2019. Everest Medicine's CEO, Rogers Yongqing Luo, emphasized the critical need for novel therapeutics.

"The first prescription of Velsipity in Macau marks a critical step in our mission to address the unmet needs of UC patients," according to Luo. "This milestone demonstrates our commitment to bringing breakthrough therapies to Asia. We are on schedule to file a new medicine application in mainland China by the end of the year, expanding Velsipity's reach."

Beyond Macau, Velsipity has already received permits in the United States, the European Union, and several other locations, including Singapore earlier this year. The Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration has approved the "Hong Kong and Macau Medicine and Equipment Connect" policy for use in designated hospitals in the Greater Bay Area. These advances assure that more Asian patients can benefit from this novel medication.

Velsipity is Everest Medicine's third commercialized medicine, solidifying the company's position as a market leader in innovative therapies in Asia.  Its clearance in global markets, together with verified efficacy and safety, demonstrates the company's commitment to addressing essential health issues.

As Everest Medicines expands Velsipity's availability, the business hopes to set a standard for UC treatment. Everest Medicines is changing the face of biopharmaceutical innovation in Asia by combining scientific rigour with a patient-centred approach.